🇦🇪 Leave and Benefits in
United Arab Emirates
Statutory leave entitlements and mandatory benefits for employers in United Arab Emirates — annual leave, sick leave, maternity, paternity and public holidays.
Leave Entitlements at a Glance — United Arab Emirates
Annual Leave
30 days
Sick Leave
15 days
Maternity Leave
60 weeks
Paternity Leave
5 weeks
Public Holidays
13 days
13th Month Pay
Not required
Statutory Leave Types
| Leave Type | Entitlement | Paid | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| annual | 30 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| sick | 90 days | Yes | 50% pay |
| maternity | 60 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| paternity | 5 days | Yes | 100% pay |
| parental | — | No | — |
| bereavement | 5 days | Yes | 100% pay |
Public Holidays — United Arab Emirates 2026
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr | 21 Mar 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | 22 Mar 2026 |
| Eid al-Fitr Holiday | 23 Mar 2026 |
| Arafat Day | 6 Jun 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha | 7 Jun 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | 8 Jun 2026 |
| Eid al-Adha Holiday | 9 Jun 2026 |
| Islamic New Year | 27 Jun 2026 |
| Prophet Muhammad's Birthday | 5 Sept 2026 |
| Commemoration Day | 30 Nov 2026 |
| UAE National Day | 2 Dec 2026 |
| UAE National Day Holiday | 3 Dec 2026 |
Mandatory Employer Benefits — United Arab Emirates
Legally required employer contributions and benefits under United Arab Emirates law.
| Benefit | Type | Employer Cost | Frequency | Tax Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
End-of-Service Gratuity for Expatriates 21 days basic salary per year of service for the first 5 years; 30 days per year beyond 5 years. Capped at 2 years total basic salary. Paid upon termination. | Cash | Varies | one_off | Exempt |
GPSSA Pension for UAE and GCC Nationals Employer contributes 12.5% of basic salary for UAE and GCC national employees to GPSSA. Employee contributes 5%. Does not apply to expatriate employees. | Cash | 12.5% | monthly | Exempt |
Mandatory Health Insurance Health insurance is mandatory for all employees in Dubai (DHA) and Abu Dhabi (DoH). Employer must provide a minimum basic plan covering the employee. Cost varies by plan and insurer. | In Kind | Varies | annual | Exempt |
EOR Intelligence
Manage leave compliance in United Arab Emirates via EOR.
An Employer of Record administers all statutory leave and benefits on your behalf.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Leave entitlements in United Arab Emirates are subject to change. Always consult a qualified local employment lawyer.
About This Guide
- \u2713 Sourced from official government publications
- \u2713 Updated monthly — always current rules
- \u2713 For guidance only — not legal advice
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